Shaft-loop



(No Model.)

J. KAUFFMAN.

SHAFT LOOP.

Patented Nov. 18, 1888.

f fw@ IINTTED STATES PATENT Erica..

J AOOB KAUFFll/IAN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,612, dated November 13, 1:888.

A ppilcaton filed Angnsl 2,1888. Serial No. 281.809. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J Aeon KAUEFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invent-ed certain new and useful Improvements in Shaft-Loops, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

rlhis invention relates to a new and useful end with a loop, B, by means of which it is suspended hya leather strap, C, from the saddle.

D is a U-shaped shaft-bearing formed integral with the strap A at the lower end thereof and projecting laterally therefrom.

E is gate secured by means of a hinge- 3o joint, F, to the free end of the U-shaped shaftbearing and adapted to close or disclose the throat of the U-shaped shaft-bearing.

G- is a shoulder upon which the free end of the gate is adapted to rest in its closed position.

H is a spring secured at one end to the strap A in any suitable manner and projecting with its free end in proximity to the shoulder G, and adapted to lock the gate E in its closed position. The free end of the spring is provided with a lug or pin, I, engaging into a recess, J, of the strap A.

K is a loop formed at the lower end of the shaft-bearing for the attachment of a suitable strap to secure the lower end of the device to the saddle, and L is a covering of leather or fabric on the shaft-bearing.

It will be seen that by depressing the spring H the gate E can be readily thrown open,when it will fall out of the way, while the closing is effected by merely turning the latch into its closed position, which allows the spring to automatically lock the gate in place and prevents any aeeidental disengagement even under heavy strain, as the lock I prevents the straining of the spring-if an upward pressure is brought upon the gate accidentally.

In practice, the parts being arranged and constructed substantially as shown and described and secured to the harness-saddle at the usual height for supporting the shafts, it will be found that the device forms a very convenient shaft-loop, as it is easy for one man to guide the shafts in and out of the loops in bitching up the horse. By throwing the gates E open the shafts can drop vertically into the shaft-bearing, and thus the letting up or down of the shafts engages or disengages them from the shaft-loops.

It is a common experience that with ordinary shaft-loops, in which the engagement with the shafts has to be secured by a longitudinal engagement or disengagement with the shafts, difficulty is often encountered with some horses in bitching and unhitching, which is obviated in my construction, which permits me to hitch or unhitch the horse from the vehicle without moving the same from its position.

I preferably construct my device of malleable iron; but for more stylish harnesses I make it japanncd, nickel-plated, or otherwise more ornamental.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- As an improved article of manufacture, a shaft-loop consisting of the strap A, provided at one end with a loop, B, and at the other end with a U-shaped shaft-bearing, D, said strap being formed with shoulder G and hole J above said shoulder, the gate E, hinged to the free end of said shaft-bearing, and the locking-spring Il, secured at one end to said strap and at the other end provided with a lateral pin, I, engaging said hole J in the strap, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof' I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of J une, 1888.

JACOB KAUFFMAN.

Vitnesses:

Jol-IN ScHUMAN, P. M. HULBERT. 

